Refrigerating apparatus



Nov. 14,1944. N, J, SMITH 2,362,729

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 4, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l VEN ATTORB% Nov. 14, 1944. N. J. SMITH REFRIGERAIING APPARATUS Filed Jan; 4, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 ATTORNEYZZ Q Patented Nov. 14, 1944 r 2,302,129 mamaaarmo mama-us Nelson J. Smith. Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Generalliiiotora Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application January 4, 1934, Serial No. 705,187 (01. 02-129) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus. More particularly the invention relates to improvements in air conditioners of the selfcontained type, which are adapted to be placed in rooms where central refrigerating installations are not conveniently available.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide improved and simple means for disposing of the moisture extracted from the air in this type of air conditioning apparatus.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view, somewhat diagrammatic, of one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, somewhat similar to Fig. 1, but showing another embodiment of my invention; 7

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are views also similar to Fig. 1, but also showing other modifications; and

Figs. 6 and 7 show details of further modi i'lcations.

In practicing my invention, a complete air conditioning apparatus is preferably enclosed in a unitary casing ill divided by an insulating partition Ii to form an air conditioning passageway i2 and heat dimipating passageway i3. The air conditioning apparatus is adapted to condition the air in an enclosure, such as a room, a wall of which is fragmentarily indicated at It. Air from the enclosure enters the air conditioning apparatus at Ii, passes through the air conditioning passageway i2 and is discharged back into the enclosure through the opening 16. If desired, a certain portion of air may also be introduced from outside of the enclosure into the passageway l2 through the fresh air intake pipe i611. The air to be conditioned, and passing through the passageway I2, is cooled by coming in contact with a heat absorbing unit l'l, preferably in the form of a volatile refrigerant evaporator, where moisture is generally extracted from described. This heating means preferably takes the form of an electric heater 20, vapor thus produced being eventually discharged to the exterior of the enclosure through the medium of the pipe 2| which discharges the vapors into the heat dissipating air stream hereinafter to be more fully described.

The electric heater 20 may be of any suitable type. However. I prefer to use an electric heater which is automatically controlled in accordance with the level of the water in the receptacle it. Thus the heater includes a lower conducting plate 2i and an upper conducting plate'22 which are connected respectively to electrical leads as indicated. When the moisture rises and contacts with the upper plate 22, an electric circuit is established through the heater by electrolytic action, and the water is heated and evaporated because of the electrical resistance involved. When the level falls below the upper plate 22 the circuit is broken and the heating action ceases.

The heat absorbing unit ll is connected to a heat dissipating unit 23. This latter unit dissipates the heat which was absorbed by the unit ll into a heat dissipating air stream which is dis- .charged to the exterior of the enclosure through the pipe 24. Preferably this heat dissipating air stream flows from the exterior of the enclosure through the pipe 26 under the propelling force of a blower 26 which causes the air stream to pass through the passageway l3 and be discharged through the pipe 24 carrying with it the water vapor from receptacle l9 heretofore described. If desired, the pipes 24 and 25 may be connected to a window of the enclosure, or may be connected to openings especially made for them.

In this particular embodiment, the heat dissipating unit 23 takes the form of a compressor 26 which forwards com ressed refrigerant to a condenser 21 from whence the condensed refrigerant flows to a receiver 28 and through a pipe 29 to an automatic expansion valve 30' to the evaporator I ll and back through the pipe St to the comthe air being conditioned for the enclosure, bev cause the air is generally chilled below its dew point in passing in contact with the surfaces of the evaporator. The moisture thus extracted is gathered in a drain means I8, preferably in the form of a pan underneath the evaporator, from whence the moisture flows by gravity into an insulated evaporating container is. Here the moisture is evaporated by heating means separate from the heat dissipating unit hereinafter to be pressor 28. The compressor 26 is driven by a motor 32 which also may drive the blower 26 as indicated. In addition, an electrically driven blower 33 may be provided to circulate the stream of air through the passageway I2. The electric motors shown maybe operated by any suitable automatic control responsive to conditions in the enclosure or room, such as a thermostat, humidostat, or both. In addition, suitable manual switches may be provided, as desired.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2, a casing lllq is separated by a partition illi into the air conditioning passageway I02 and the heat dissipatlngipassageway I03. A heat absorbing unit I04, in the form of a finned evaporator is placed in the passageway I02 together with a motordriven fan I and the moisture drain means I06, and an expansion valve I01 is also provided. The heat dissipating passageway I03 contains the compressor I03, condenser I09, receiver IIO, together with th compressor motor III and an electrically driven blower H2. The parts thus far described function substantially the same as the corresponding parts in Fig. 1. In this case, however, the moisture from the drain I06 is placed in contact with a portion I09a, of the condenser by which it is evaporated. In this particular embodiment a pipe II3 permits the moisture to flow by gravity into a pan H4 in which the portion I091; 01 the condenser is placed. Air intake pipe H5, and the air discharge pipe II6 connect the passageway I03 with the exterior of the enclosure, while the air intake I I1 and the discharge opening II8 connect the passageway I02 with the interior of the enclosure. The heat dissipating air stream carries the moisture evaporated from the body of water in pan II4 to the exterior through pipe II6.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, the casing I is divided by the insulating partition I5I into an air conditioning passageway I52 and a heat dissipating passageway I53. Passageway I52 contains a heat absorbing unit I54, the drain means I55, an electrically driven blower I56, an intake passage I51 and an air discharge passage I68 connected with the enclosure or room. The heat dissipating. passageway I53 contains the usual refrigerant liquefying or heat dissipating unit in the form of the compressor I59, condenser I60, receiver I6I and motor I62. An electrically driven blower I63 forces airfrom the exterior through the pipe I64 and discharges it through the pipe I65 to the exterior.

In this modification, the moisture gathered in the pan I is sprayed or dripped by gravity through the spray-head I66 directly on the condenser I where it is turned into vapor and is discharged in the form of vapor to the exterior through the pipe I65.

vIn the form shown in Fig. 4 the casing 200 is divided by the insulating partition 20I into the air conditioning passageway 202 and air dissipating passageway 203. The passageway 202 contains the heat absorbin unit 204, the drain means 205, the electrically driven blower 206 and the automatic expansion valve 201. The

heat dissipating passageway 203, contains the heat dissipating unit in the form of a compressor 208, condenser 209, receiver 2I0, motor 2 and electrically driven blower 2I2. Air from the exterior flows through the pipe 2I3 through the passageway 203 and back to the exterior through the pipe 2I4. The moisture gathered in the pan 205 flows by gravity to the pan 2I5 where it is evaporated by the heat from the heat dissipating unit and is discharged in the form of vapor through the pipe 2I4 to the exterior of the enclosure.

In the form shown in Fig. 5, the casing 250 is divided by the heat insulating partition 25I into the air conditioning passageway 252 and heat dissipating passageway 253. The passageway 252 contains the heat absorbing unit 254, the electrically driven fan 255, the drain means 256 and the automatic expansion valve 251. Air enters from the enclosure through the opening 258 and is discharged to the enclosure through the opening 259. The heat dissipating passageway 253 contains the usual heat dissipating unit or refrigerant liquefying unit, in the form of a compressor 260, condenser 26I, receiver 263, motor 264 and motor-driven blower 265 for causing air to flow through the pipe 266 from the exterior into the passageway 253 and back to the exterior through the pipe 261. The motor 264 which drives the compressor 260 is provided with a rotary sprayer 260. The drain means 266 is connected by a pipe 269 with the rotary sprayer 266 in such a manner that the moisture extracted from the air in the enclosure is discharged in the form of a spray into the enclosure 253 and from thence to the exterior through the pipe 261.

Inv the form shown in Fig. 6, the structure shown in Fig. 5 is modified in that the rotary sprayer 268 is replaced by a rotary pump 210, which receives moisture through the pipe 266a and discharges it through the pipe 21I in the form of a spray directly to the exterior. The spray thus promotes evaporation of the moisture.

In the form shown in Fig. 7, the structure shown in Fig. 5 is modified by changing the rotary sprayer 260 into a pump 280 which receives the moisture extracted from the room through the pipe 209!) and discharges it through the pipe 28I to the wick means 282 placed on the exterior of the room. The moisture is thus pumped to the wick where it evaporates.

In all the modifications, the motors may be controlled by proper controls similar to those described for Fig. 1. Also, if desired, fresh air from the exterior may be introduced into the air conditioning passageways in addition to, or in lieu of the air from the enclosure.

While the forms of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1, An air conditioning apparatus for an enclosure, an evaporator exposed to the air within said enclosure, a refrigerant liquefying unit in said enclosure insulated from said air and connected to said evaporator, means for creatin a current of air past said refrigerant liquefying unit and discharging the current outside said enclosure, drain means for moisture extracted from the air within said enclosure by said evaporator, and means for'conveying moisture from said drain means to the exterior of said enclosure and evaporating said moisture in said exterior, and including a wick-like member exposed .to the atmosphere outside of said enclosure,

means for distributing said moisture on said wick.

2. The method of disposing of condensate formed in a cooler unit which consists in conveying the condensate to the exterior of the compartment to be cooled, forcing a blast of air from said compartment to the exterior of said compartment, and releasing said condensate to said blast of air outside of said enclosure.

3. In combination with a self-contained air conditioning apparatus mounted in a room, two air ducts leading to the exterior of said room, means circulating a current of air in through the first duct past the heat dissipating unit of said air conditioning apparatus and out through the second duct, means includin a third and smaller duct passing through said second duct A for conveying condensate to the exterior of the room.

4. In an air conditioner for a room, a cabinet having a portion within said room and having a portion projecting beyond the outer wall of said room, an evaporator disposed in said cabinet exposed to the main air body in said room, a refrigerant liquefying unit in said cabinet insulated from said main air body and connected to said evaporator, said refrigerant liquefying unit including a fan, means for conveying moisture extracted from said air by said evaporator to the exterior of said room, and means for evapcratin said moisture in said exterior.

5. The method of disposing of condensate formed in a cooler unit which consists in conveying the condensate to the exterior of the compartment being cooled, forcing a blast of air through the cooling unit and to the exterior of said compartment, and releasing said condensate to said blast of air outside of said compartment while more condensate is being removed from the air in said compartment in liquid form.

6. In combination with a self-contained, air conditioning unit for a room, two ducts one of which is within the other and attached to and extending from a'portion of said unit adapted to be located in a room to a point exteriorly of said room, said unit including a heat absorbing unit for cooling the room air and means for dissipating heat absorbed thereby, means expelling hot air passed oversaid heat dissipating means through one duct and. means expelling condensate collected from the room air by said heat absorbing means and discharging the condensate through the other duct.

7. A self-contained, unitary, encased air conditioning apparatus for a room, comprising an air duct communicating at spaced-apart points with the air exteriorly of said room, refrigeration apparatus including an evaporator adapted to cool the room air and a condensing unit separated from the room air, means circulating a current of air through said duct in heat exchange relation with said condensing unit of said air conditioning apparatus and back to the exterior air, and means including a second and smaller duct passing through said first mentioned duct for conveying condensate to the exterior of the room,

8. In an air conditioner for a room, a cabinet, an evaporator within said cabinet exposed to the main air body in said room, a refrigerant liquefying unit includin a fan in said cabinet insulated from said main air body and comiected to said evaporator, means for conveying moisture extracted from said air by said evaporator to the exterior of said room, and means for evaporating said moisture in said exterior, said last named means utilizing heat given ofi by said refrigerant liquefying unit.

NELSON J. SMITH. 

